December 07, 2018
Motions and Emotions
5 Comments

Hello my readers,

How are you all doing? I think everywhere in India mercury has dropped and there is chill in the air. Naturally days are shorter making you more busy! It's really difficult to leave the warmth of the blanket and run around and get ready for the day. So after finishing one weekend everyone looks forward to the coming weekend eagerly. Isn't it true? I realized this truth from our little one as today (Tuesday) morning while making her ready for school she counted 3 more days mumma. I said ' for what'? Innocently, she replies 'don't you know I am waiting for Saturday so that I can sleep for longer hours'.

When we talk about Cold and frosty days, blanket tales are our favourite. Similarly, our Winter food talks are incomplete without discussing chikkis. Back in 90's when we didn't have any snack bars chikkis used to be our famous desi style snack bars.

What is Chikki?Chikki is a traditional Indian sweet or snack prepared using nuts (predominantly, peanuts) or sesame seeds (til) and jaggery. It is Indian sweet brittle. There are varieties of chikkis made using different ingredients including peanuts, walnuts, puffed rice, roasted bengal gram, sesame seeds, etc. Each variant is named after the name of the main ingredient used in that particular chikki. For example, peanut chikki, sesame seed chikki or til chikki, etc.Are chikkis good for health?Chikkis contaiin jaggery which has multiple health benefits. It boosts immunity and makes stronger. Peanut chikki has the good ness of peanuts whereas til chikki is loaded with the goodness of sesame seeds.

Do you know a famous traveling spot is famous for chikkis?
Yes I am talking about the beautiful hill station, Lonavala situated in Western ghat in Maharashtra.

There was a time when chikkis were almost extinct except some vendors used to sell them in local train. However, last few years I have noticed that they have got their glory back and tinkle as star on the racks of the supermarkets. Thanks to those local home chefs or self help groups who passionately prepared them and helped them regain their place in our food list.

This is a very good snack option for kids and gives them instant energy as it contains jaggery which is the source of carbohydrate. After play or tuition a small portion of chikki will surely increase their energy level.

I have given a twist to our regular peanut sesame chikki with the addition of walnuts. This is a good way to feed walnut to your kids.

Procedure
1. Grease a steel plate or a square baking tin with ghee and keep aside.
2. Dry roast the peanuts for 5 to 6 minutes on medium to low flame till they turn crunchy and raw smell is completely gone. Stir them continuously.
3. After roasting, allow to cool them and when the temperature is bearable remove the skins my crushing them between your palms.
4. Keep the peanuts aside after removing the skins.
5. Dry roast the walnuts for 3 to 5 minutes and keep them aside. Once cooled break them into small pieces using your palm.
6. Dry roast the sesame seeds or til for 2 to 3 minutes and keep aside.
7. Now add sesame seeds, peanuts and walnuts in a bowl and mix well and keep aside.
8. Take water and jaggery in a pan and switch on the gas and keep the pan on low to medium heat.
9. Cook it until the right consistency comes. To check this add few drops of jaggery syrup in a bowl of cold water. It will sink in the bottom and appear solid. This is the right stage to add the nuts and sesame seeds mixture.
10. Quickly mix them and all the ingredients should be properly coated with jaggery syrup.
11. Now pour it on the greased tray and spread it quickly. Roll the top using a rolling pin which helps to give even surface. Keep 1/2 inch height of the bar while rolling.
12. Use a sharp edge knife to cut the hot chikkis into diamond shape or square shape pieces.
13. Allow to cool for approximately half an hour and break the chikki pieces through the cut made by knife. You can store them in an airtight container for few days.

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